Category: African News

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Morocco's coach, Walid Regragui, has unveiled a formidable 28-man squad as the Atlas Lions gear up to host the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off in just ten days.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Host Morocco named a star-studded final AFCON squad

Morocco's coach, Walid Regragui, has unveiled a formidable 28-man squad as the Atlas Lions gear up to host the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off in just ten days.

The squad, revealed on Thursday, boasts some of the nation’s brightest stars, including Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Sofyan Amrabat, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.

Hakimi is recovering from a serious ankle injury and may miss the opening matches, but Regragui values his leadership. Morocco enters the tournament as the favourites, aiming for their first title since 1976 after a record 18 consecutive victories.

With continuity and tactical flexibility, the squad features key players from the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. Defensive leaders Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd return, joined by rising star Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal.

The full-back lineup includes Noussair Mazraoui, Adam Masina, and young Anass Salah-Eddine. In midfield, the team relies on talents like Azzedine Ounahi and Sofyan Amrabat, while the attack is led by Youssef En-Nesyri and Ayoub El Kaabi, supported by creative wingers like Brahim Diaz.

However, Sofiane Diop is notably absent, and Hamza Igamane is on the reserve list due to injury. With the tournament hosted in Morocco, expectations are high.

Regragui knows lifting the trophy in Rabat on January 18 is the only acceptable outcome. In Group A, Morocco will compete against Comoros, Mali, and Zambia for continental glory.

Goalkeepers: Munir El Kajoui, Yassine Bounou and El Mehdi Al Harrar

Défenders: Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Chibi, Jawad El Yamiq, Romain Saïss, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Nayef Aguerd, Adam Masina, Noussair Mazraoui and Anas Salah-Eddine

Midfielders: Oussama Targhalline, Sofyan Amrabat, Ismael Saibari, Neil El Aynaoui, Bilal El Khannouss and Azzedine Ounahi

Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Ilias Akhomach, Chemsdine Talbi, Youssef En-Nesyri, Ayoub El Kaabi, Soufiane Rahimi,  Abdessamad Ezzalzouli and Eliesse Ben Seghir

Reserve Players

  • Youssef Belammari

  • Hamza Igamane

Nigeria coach Chelle recalls Uzoho, Onuachu, drops Okoye from AFCON squad
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigeria coach Chelle recalls Uzoho, Onuachu, drops Okoye from AFCON squad

Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu have been recalled to Nigeria's national team, while Maduka Okoye and Tolu Arokodare were excluded from the 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle unveiled his final squad for the tournament, comprising three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and nine forwards. The tournament is set to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco. The selection features several new players, bolstering the team’s depth in defence, midfield, and attack.

In defence, Blackburn Rovers’ Ryan Alebiosu receives his first call-up, alongside Slavia Prague’s Igoh Ogbu, who joins the squad as part of the defensive reinforcements.

The midfield sees exciting additions, including Inter Milan’s promising talent and Remo Stars Academy graduate Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, along with Israel-based Usman Muhammed and former Flying Eagles star Tochukwu Nnadi.

Croatia-based striker Lawal Salim Fago is a new addition to the Super Eagles, joining goalkeeper Uzoho, who returns after last playing in March 2024, alongside Stanley Nwabali and Amas Obasogie.

In defence, Calvin Bassey of Fulham teams up with Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Zaidu Sanusi.

The midfield features Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Raphael Onyedika. Up front, Victor Osimhen leads the attack with support from Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, and Chidera Ejuke, while Cyriel Dessers and Paul Onuachu also make the squad.

Nigeria is in Group C of the AFCON with Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda. They will have a pre-tournament camp in Egypt and face Egypt in an unofficial friendly on December 16.

Their campaign kicks off against Tanzania on December 23 in Fès, with a key match against Tunisia set for December 27.

Goalkeepers

  • Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
  • Amas Obasogie (Singida Black Stars, Tanzania)
  • Francis Uzoho (Omonia, Cyprus)

Defenders

  • Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England)
  • Semi Ajayi (Hull City, England)
  • Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England)
  • Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
  • Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes, France)
  • Zaidu Sanusi (Porto, Portugal)
  • Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)
  • Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England)

Midfielders

  • Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England)
  • Frank Onyeka (Brentford, England)
  • Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas, Turkey)
  • Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
  • Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium)
  • Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio, Italy)
  • Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa, Italy)
  • Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel)

Forwards

  • Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla, Spain)
  • Akor Adams (Sevilla, Spain)
  • Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
  • Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham, England)
  • Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
  • Moses Simon (Paris FC, France)
  • Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor, Turkey)
  • Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos, Greece)
  • Salim Fago Lawal (Istra 1961, Croatia)
Les Coelacantes of Comoros rally troops for AFCON 2025 tournament
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Les Coelacantes of Comoros rally troops for AFCON 2025 tournament

Comoros has named its final 26-man squad for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Head coach Stefano Cusin has retained most players from the AFCON and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, emphasizing stability as Comoros seeks to become one of Africa's rising teams.

Cusin has also added two new players: Zaid Amir and Yannis Kari. Both players performed well at the 2025 Arab Cup with the Comoros A’ team and are making their first appearances in a senior tournament.

The squad includes key players like midfielder Youssouf M’Changama, who plays a vital role in the team’s creative efforts, and forward Faïz Selemani, known for his strong attacking abilities. Goalkeeper Yannick Pandor returns, joined by Ben Salim Boina and Adel Anzimati, who have been reliable throughout the qualification process.

On defence, Cusin has mixed experienced players like Kassim M’Dahoma and Akim Abdallah with younger talents Idriss Mohamed, Kenan Toibibou, and Ismaël Boura, bringing new energy to the team.

Comoros, which reached the AFCON knockout stages in 2021, will compete in Group A against hosts Morocco, Mali, and Zambia. They will start their campaign against Morocco on December 21 in Casablanca, a tough match that Cusin believes can inspire the team for the rest of the group stage.

The team will prepare for the tournament with friendly matches against Gambia and Madagascar.

FULL COMOROS SQUAD FOR AFCON 2025
Goalkeepers
  • Yannick Pandor (Royal Francs Borains)
  • Ben Salim Boina (Istres FC)
  • Adel Anzimati (FC Ararat Erevan)
Defenders
  • Kassim M’Dahoma (SC Aubagne Air Bel)
  • Ahmed Soilihi (SC Toulon)
  • Idriss Mohamed (Le Puy Foot 43)
  • Kenan Toibibou (NK Bravo)
  • Akim Abdallah (EA Guingamp)
  • Ismaël Boura (ESTAC Troyes)
  • Yannis Kari (Fréjus Saint-Raphaël)
  • Saïd Bakary (Sparta Rotterdam)
Midfielders
  • Yacine Bourhane (Aris Limassol)
  • Iyad Mohamed (Casa Pia AC)
  • Raouf Mroivili (FC Villefranche)
  • Youssouf M’Changama (Al-Batin)
  • Rayan Lutin (Amiens SC)
  • Youssouf Bendjaloud (FC Sochaux)
  • Rémy Vita (CD Tondela)
  • Youssouf Zaydou (Al-Fateh SC)
Forwards
  • Rafiki Saïd (Standard Liège)
  • Amir Zaïd (Istres FC)
  • Faïz Selemani (Qatar SC)
  • El Fardou Ben Nabouhane (FK Zemun)
  • Myziane Maolida (Al-Kholood Club)
  • Ahmed Aymeric (LB Châteauroux)
  • Ali Aboubcar (Royal Francs Borains)
Zambia's Chipolopolo ready for Cup of Nations as Daka leads squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zambia’s Chipolopolo ready for Cup of Nations as Daka leads squad

Zambia’s final squad for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations has been announced by coach Moses Sichone, showcasing a mix of promising local talent and seasoned international players. The tournament will take place in Morocco later this month.

The squad features exciting newcomers, including Matthews Banda, Given Kalusa, Pascal Phiri, and Eliya Mandanji from Zanaco, all earning their first senior call-ups after strong domestic performances.

Coach Sichone has also revamped the goalkeeping lineup with three uncapped keepers: Lawrence Mulenga, Francis Mwansa, and Willard Mwanza.

Leading the overseas players is striker Patson Daka, joined by Jack Kalichi Lahne from Austria, who scored on his debut last FIFA window. Other international talents include Joseph Liteta (Cagliari), Kings Kangwa (Maccabi Be’er Sheva), and Lameck Banda (Lecce).

Zambia’s final preparation occurs in Murcia, Spain, from December 11 to 17, with foreign players expected to join after December 15.

In the tournament, Zambia to face Morocco on December 21, Mali on December 26, and Comoros on December 30 in a challenging Group A.

Standby players Jonathan Kalimina and Abel Nyirongo, standout performers from the U17 World Cup, will be ready to step in if needed. The squad has been finalised at 28 players after narrowing down from an initial list of 55.

Zambia’s final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers – Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco) and Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)

Defenders: Stopilla Sunzu (Changchun, China), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain SC), Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United), Matthews Banda (Nkana), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Obino Chisala (Al-Merikh SC, Sudan), David Hamasenya (Leganés, Spain)and Benson Sakala (Bohemians 1905, Czech Republic)

Midfielders: Miguel Changa Chaiwa (Hibernian, Scotland), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari, Italy), Kings Kangwa (Maccabi Be’er Sheva, Israel), Given Kalusa (FC MUZA), David Simukonda (Zesco United), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Joseph Sabobo Banda (Maccabi Be’er Sheva, Israel), Lameck Banda (Lecce, Italy), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha, Saudi Arabia), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg, Germany) and Pascal Phiri (Zesco United)

Strikers: Patson Daka (Leicester City, England), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Austria Lustenau, Austria), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan, Israel) and Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco)

Algeria reach FIFA Arab Cup quarter-finals, Egypt eliminated
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Algeria reach FIFA Arab Cup quarter-finals, Egypt eliminated

Algeria won 2-0 against Iraq on December 9 during the FIFA Arab Cup 2025 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar as fellow North African side Egypt were eliminated.

They needed just a draw to reach the quarter-finals, but performed better to top Group D. Algeria benefited when Iraq’s Hussein Ali was sent off in the fifth minute. They scored their first goal just before half-time.

Redouane Berkane headed a free-kick back across the goal, where Mohamed Amine Tougai finished it with a header. Later, a mistake between Iraq’s goalkeeper Fahad Talib and defender Saad Natiq led to an own goal that confirmed Algeria’s win.

As group winners, Algeria will play against the UAE, while Iraq will face Jordan in the quarter-finals.

Egypt 0-3 Jordan

Jordan defeated Egypt in the FIFA Arab Cup, concluding Egypt’s campaign without a win.

The match took place at Al Bayt Stadium, with Jordan scoring through Mohammad Abuhasheesh (19 minutes) and Mohammad Abu Zraiq (41 minutes).

Abu Zraiq was named Player of the Match. Jordan had a third goal disallowed for handball, while Egypt nearly scored but hit the post. The victory was sealed in added time by Ali Olwan, who scored a penalty following a foul in the box.